Chapter 144: Bullying Qiao Yu

I have to admit, in a setting like this, Lian Yue truly did not enjoy herself. There was always a sense of being out of place. Glancing sideways, Yao Yao also appeared listless and drained of energy.

Then, looking at the eldest sister conversing with the nearby concubines and princesses, Lian Yue inwardly admired her. No matter the occasion, her eldest sister always handled things with effortless grace.

Qiao Yu was scheming on how to teach Lian Yue a lesson. Seeing the weariness on her face, an idea sparked in his mind. He obediently addressed the Empress Dowager seated in the place of honor, “Grandmother, your grandson wishes to take Miss Yue for a stroll around the palace.”

The Empress Dowager noticed that as soon as Qiao Yu spoke, several young ladies nearby brightened with anticipation, their eyes betraying their eagerness, especially Yue Lian Yue, who seemed quite excited and restless.

A flicker of displeasure crossed the Empress Dowager’s phoenix-shaped eyes. She had heard plenty about her granddaughter’s antics. For him to proactively invite Yue Lian Yue, there was surely some ulterior motive.

A noble lady from the Yue family visiting the palace, and being bullied by a princess—if this were to spread to the main hall, it would no longer be a trivial matter.

Today was the birthday banquet of the Retired Emperor, and the Empress Dowager did not wish to stir up trouble. She was about to veto Qiao Yu’s proposal when another voice interrupted.

“This is perfect. It’s my first time entering the palace. On the way here, I imagined the scenery must be magnificent. Please, Empress Dowager, permit the princess to take Yue’er and Yao Yao for a tour.”

Naturally, the speaker was Lian Yue herself. Staying in the grand hall was utterly dull, and she genuinely wanted to explore the imperial palace. Moreover, since someone was offering to entertain her, refusing would make the game far less interesting.

Yao Yao chimed in eagerly, “Yao Yao also really wants to see what kind of environment could possibly suit a beauty like the Empress Dowager.”

With both of them speaking up, the Empress Dowager had no reason to refuse, especially with Yao Yao’s honeyed words. She cast a warning glance at Qiao Yu, “Very well, you may take them for a walk around. You are a princess, and they are guests. If Yue’er and Yao Yao are neglected, I shall hold you responsible.”

Qiao Yu was inwardly displeased. Clearly, she was the true granddaughter, yet the Empress Dowager’s words favored outsiders. But soon, thinking of how silly they would look if embarrassed, she calmed down and replied softly.

Yet the Empress Dowager saw through her thoughts immediately. She then addressed her niece sitting nearby, “Yan’er, you shall accompany them as well.”

Called upon, Han Liu Yan rose and responded softly, “Yes.”

At this, the other young ladies in the room, who had not been named, grew restless with envy and longing. Without the Empress Dowager’s command, they could only remain in the hall, casting envious and jealous glances at Lian Yue and her group departing from the center.

Lian Yue noticed this and decided to make the outing bigger and livelier. After all, more people meant more excitement. She turned to the Empress Dowager and said, “This is Yue’er’s first time in Western Capital. There are many peers in the hall whom she does not know yet. Why not let them join us?”

The gazes that had been on Lian Yue and her group shifted to the Empress Dowager, filled with hopeful anticipation. Girls at this age had not yet shed their childish playfulness. Sitting properly in the hall for hours was a torment.

The Empress Dowager, recalling her own youth, considered that with more people, Qiao Yu would be less likely to act out of line, and nodded in approval.

Six more young women stepped forward to thank the Empress Dowager, then accompanied the group as they left. The Empress Dowager, still uneasy, gave a few special instructions to the attendant behind her, who then closely followed Lian Yue’s party.

Upon exiting Cining Palace, the constraints of the grand hall vanished. Before Qiao Yu could speak, Lian Yue took the lead, “Princess, where do you intend to take us for a tour?”

Qiao Yu’s heart was full of resentment. She had planned to lure Yao Yao and Lian Yue out, then bring them to the Cold Palace to have her men torment them, before sending them back unscathed. Now, a whole group of hangers-on had followed them.

Among them were several she could not afford to offend. Naturally, she chose to pick on the weakest, her gaze landing on the Tenth Princess, just a few months her senior. She jabbed indirectly, “Qiao Ling, you know the palace well. Why are you so eager to follow along?”

At her words, Lian Yue couldn’t help but sneer inwardly. Fools were always foolish. She scanned the group and saw their faces darken. Those who sat in the grand hall were all of status, certainly no fools. Qiao Yu’s meaning was clear.

A bold young woman stepped forward to retort, “Qiao Yu, stop your veiled insults. Just because you’re a princess, you think you’re better than us? Besides, none of us followed you out.”

“What do you mean, Zhang Yuying?” Qiao Yu snapped.

The fiery woman was no pushover. “Nothing much. I’m just amused. I thought today I might see a turkey, but instead it turned into a big rooster.”

Lian Yue blinked twice—news travels fast. Big rooster, huh? Looking at Qiao Yu’s purple silk dress embroidered with emerald patterns, it did seem apt. Lian Yue exchanged a knowing glance with Yao Yao; clearly, they were kindred spirits. She felt much closer to the spirited woman, who, as introduced by the eldest sister, came from a family of generals—no wonder she was a true daughter of the martial world.

Lian Yue stepped forward, tugging at the woman’s teal sleeve embroidered with vine patterns, openly showing her glee. “If she’s a big rooster, sister, why bother arguing with her so much?” She paused meaningfully.

Zhang Yuying nodded in agreement, “You’re right. Thanks for the reminder, little sister.”

The pause spoke volumes. Qiao Yu’s face darkened with rage, her expression almost feral. She flung Zhang Yuying aside and, lacking any royal composure, shouted at Lian Yue, “This is the palace, not the Yue family estate. Since when do you have the right to speak?”

Lian Yue looked down her nose at her. “You mean this is your turf and we all have to listen to you?”

Qiao Yu puffed out her chest. “Naturally.”

“Fool,” Lian Yue spat mercilessly. Ignoring Qiao Yu’s furious glare, she observed the various expressions on the faces watching the scene unfold. Her gaze settled on Qiao Ling, who looked timid after Qiao Yu’s scolding. Lian Yue approached and took her hand gently. “Tenth Princess, would you take Yue’er for a stroll around the palace?”

“You dare?” Qiao Yu’s threatening voice rose instantly.

Lian Yue saw Qiao Ling shrink back and caught the fear in her eyes. It was clear that this Tenth Princess was often bullied by her own sister. Her dislike for Qiao Yu grew stronger. With resolute eyes, she looked at the hesitant Qiao Ling, “Don’t be afraid. She won’t harm you.”

“Qiao Ling, if you agree—”

“And what if I do?” Unable to tolerate Qiao Yu’s arrogance any longer, Lian Yue shouted back with even more defiance, “I simply want her to take me around. Just because you have a princess title, you think you’re a phoenix?”

“Exactly,” Yao Yao added fuel to the fire, standing beside Lian Yue and pointing at the onlookers. “They fear you because you’re the emperor’s daughter, and their fathers serve your father. Do they really think the whole world worships you? Calling you a turkey is an insult to turkeys.”

“Isn’t she just from the Yue family? What’s so great about that? The eldest Miss Yue married my fourth uncle. And your Hidden Sect? It’s just a shady little faction.”

In Qiao Yu’s mind, this was precisely how she saw things. Though the Nishang Empire had seven great powers, the emperor belonged only to her family. Her family was the master of the empire; the rest were merely subsidiaries. To her, Yue Lian Yue was like the daughters of ministers—just subjects.

As subjects, not only must they not seize her possessions, but they must obey her commands as well.